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Published five years after Wilde’s successful novel The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890), this was Wilde’s most successful play and became an instant hit when it opened in London in February, 1895. While some view this play as simply a device to show off Wilde’s clever witticisms and word play, others consider it an insightful social comedy. Whatever your view, it is essential reading for anyone interested in Wilde and his times.

Keywords: Classic, play, word play

Johanna Spyri's classic story of a young orphan sent to live with her grumpy grandfather in the Swiss Alps has charmed and engaged readers since its first publication in 1880. Much more than a children's story, the story is also a lesson on the precious nature of freedom. Heidi is a persistent and courageous girl full of spunk and with a twinkle in her eye – this charming classic is a must read!

Keywords: Classic, Switzerland, mountains, courage, orphan

This delightful story follows the tale of a Dutch brother and sister who work together toward two goals--finding the doctor who can restore their father's memory and winning the competition for the silver skates. This book was first published in 1865 and received more reviews than any other children's book that year. It continues to delight countless readers with its story of a virtuous and hardworking family who inspires us all to have the courage to pursue our dreams, and the dreams of those we love.

Robin Hood is a hero of popular ballads that date from the 14th to 16th centuries and stands as a counterpart to King Arthur, who represents the ideal of the noble class. In contrast, Robin Hood lives in Sherwood forest surrounded by his band of merry men and do-gooders, such as Friar Tuck and Little John. Robin enjoys the affections of Maid Marian and uses his skills as a master archer and huntsman to rob from the rich and give to the poor.

For the past one hundred years, Rudyard Kipling's classic tales of Mowgli, the lost boy raised by wolves in the jungles of India, have captivated children and adults alike.

Published in 1886, this book, along with The Secret Garden, cemented
Burnett's reputation as a leading children's author. The title
character of this book was based on Burnett's second son, Vivian and has
been said to embody the author's belief that "nothing in the world is so
strong as a kind heart." Briefly put, the story relates to the life of
Young Cedric Errol, who lives in New York with his mother. Cedric's
English father dies and the young lad is summoned by his grandfather the

Based loosely on the true story of the real-life sailor Alexander Selkirk, Defoe's classic tale of human strength and survival in the face of a hostile and lonely world can be understood on many different levels. Defoe is a figure for all times, either alone as he is literally stripped bare to confront the basic elements of life, or with “his man” Friday, who joins Crusoe after 26 years of solitariness. Defoe's work is both suitable and meaningful for readers of all ages.

The Time Machine was published in 1895 and quickly established Wells not only as an able writer, but a thinker of unusual ideas. Wells is perhaps the original writer of science fiction (alongside Jules Verne) and this novel is characteristic of his use of technology, imagination, and clever plotting to make the unthinkable seem plausible to the ordinary reader.

First published in 1914, this romantic novel has remained influential over the years, both as a book and in films and a television series. The reader must recognize that Tarzan is a product of its age and contains outmoded imagery and simplistic depictions of other cultures and species: bloodthirsty natives, chatty chimps, roaring lions, stalking beasts. In some respects Tarzan is a caricature of itself and life in an African jungle.

This travel adventure novel by Jules Verne was published serially in 1872 and in book form in 1873 The lively and amusing narrative recounts the journey pursued by a sedentary London gentleman named Phileas Fogg and his valet, Passepartout, to win a wager with Fogg's fellow club members. Pursued by Fix, a private detective who believes Fogg to be a bank robber, the duo cross three continents and two oceans on trains, steamers, an elephant, and a sail-sledge.